December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Master Key: A Clipper Story
by gtoal＠an-teallach.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

For god's sake, how many copies of this trash are we going to get? If you're going to use anonymous remailers to mailbomb our list, at least learn to use them properly and just send us one copy! That makes three so far - two of them via the same remailer even! G PS To the person who was bragging about using a spelling checker to hide his anonymity, erm... have a closer look at your post, buddy! I don't think it would take more than 10 minutes with an index of all usenet postings over the last month or two to find you :) -- Personal mail to gtoal(a)gtoal.com (I read it in the evenings) Business mail to gtoal(a)an-teallach.com (Be careful with the spelling!) Faxes to An Teallach Limited: +44 31 662 4678 Voice: +44 31 668 1550 x212

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Cabel TV's new specs require leaky encryption
by shamrock＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Cablelabs, a reasearch institute for US cable companies, whose members provide 85% of the cable service in the US and 70% in Canada, has release their "Request For Proposals for a Telecommunications Delivery System over a Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) Architecture" This RFP contains the final specs for a new multimedia architecture the cable companies intend to deploy. Here are some quotes: ".c4.11.7.1.1 Security System Objectives: The Offeror shall specify [..] whether it is possible to hide information in the digital signature number of which the signer would be unaware, which could conceal information. " Such as parts of the key? and under .c3.11.7.2 Privacy: " It should be possible to manage encryption keys and provide them to law enforcement agencies on demand." Big Brother is watching you. Through your TV. The full doccument is available at ftp://ftp.cablelabs.com//pub/RFIs/Telecom_RFP.MSWord -- Lucky Green <shamrock(a)netcom.com> PGP public key by finger

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Put Us To Work For You TODAY!!
by info＠we-work-for-you.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

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Aust crypto regulations
by M.Gream＠uts.EDU.AU 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I posted this to clarify some possible misconceptions, and ended it with a `teaser'. Since I'm sure it'll be of interest to readers here, here goes a forward (some headers elided): ---- begin include ---- From: M.Gream(a)uts.edu.au (Matthew Gream) Newsgroups: aus.computers.ibm-pc,alt.security.pgp Subject: Re: PGP for Oz users Date: 2 Sep 1994 11:58:42 GMT Vesselin Bontchev (bontchev(a)fbihh.informatik.uni-hamburg.de) wrote: > Actually, it seems that the Australian laws are not much better. A > colleague of mine there told me that he had to apply for an export > license even for his program that does only cryptographic checksums, > no encryption. That sounds bogus to me, at least from the information you've given me there. I've had the pleasure of being routed from our `Australian Trade Commission' through a number of channels to get to the `Defence Industry Development Branch' who furnished me with information relating to export of `Dual Use Technologies'. Having been informed first hand, and given the appropriate paperwork, I'm fairly confident in saying that there are no export restrictions on software (specific clause stating that mass market, public domain and "unsupported after installation" software is not covered by the Industrial List). There do exist restrictions on hardware. All of these restrictions are a direct result of our adherence with COCOM regulations (enacted through amendments to our Customs Act) -- and even so, export licences are required only for "certain" countries. The documentation relating to export guidelines is dated September 1992, I received it early 1994 and was informed that it was still "current". I have heard "on the net" (how's that for credibility ? :-), that the COCOM agreements are going to be abandoned, but as the software project I'm involved with isn't complete, I haven't looked into the matter since the initial investigation. I will do so when the time comes, or suitably motivated. I should also mention that in response to one of several questions I put to our Cwth Attorney General's Department, I received: ``Your third question concerns restricting [sic] on the production, export and import of cryptographic software and hardware. I note your familiarity with the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations. I am not aware of any other legislation dealing particularly with cryptographic software and hardware.'' -- Steven Marshall, A/g Assistant Secretary, National Security Branch. Security Divison, Attorney General's Department, Commonwealth of Australia. personal correspondence, 26 May 1994. Getting back to the export guidelines, I have it with me here and I'll quote something interesting that may apply in this circumstance (whoever wrote this didn't seem pleased either, but it still got the Minister's seal of approval): ``United States of America Re-export Controls Exporters should be aware that authorities of the United States of America claim control over many exports from other countries, including Australia, where the goods are of US origin, include components of US origin, or were produced using US-origin technology. In such cases, under US export regulations, a US re-export licence may be required whether or not an Australian export licence is needed or has been granted. Although such US regulations are not valid in Australian law, the US authorities commonly penalise foreign companies which do not comply, by denying them access to US goods or technology in the future. Where a company has a presence in the US, legal action may lead to the imposition of fines and other penalties. Enquiries regarding re-export approval should be directed to the US Consulate in Sydney or Melbourne. The contact numbers are listed in Annex C.'' -- "Australian controls on the export of technology with civil and military applications" -- "a guide for exporters and importers" September 1992, Department of Defence, Canberra. pg 4. The question here is whether "US-origin technology" covers algorithms and conceptual systems (RSA for example). I'd be interested to hear about these apparent US prosecutions. Matthew. -- Matthew Gream <M.Gream(a)uts.edu.au> -- Consent Technologies, (02) 821-2043 Disclaimer: From? \notin speaking_for(Organization?) [cfqx103] ---- end include ---- -- Matthew Gream <M.Gream(a)uts.edu.au> -- Consent Technologies, (02) 821-2043 Disclaimer: From? \notin speaking_for(Organization?) [cfqx103]

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Re: Alt.Gvmt.Bad.Bad.Bad
by blancw＠pylon.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg by Michael Conlen: Theft could be from thoes who do not protect there property and from thoes who do not respect others property, so can it also be said that 'bad government' can be from people not protecting there rights and people who have no respect for the rights of others? ............................................................... What should really be said is that theft does not happen of its own accord; someone must decide to accomplish the so-called criminal act. To describe theft as the result of another's inaction is to imply that human action of any kind is mostly automatic, that there is a pull like gravity which will cause action upon intelligence the way gravity affects inanimate objects, and that nothing better could be or should be expected from it. It is also to imply that the possession of intelligence is negligible because any opportunity for taking advantage of another's vulnerability will be irresistible to humans, as if they were basically scavengers looking for the spoils of other people's negligence. In which case, rather than speaking of bad government, the subject should be a question on the existence of intelligence & the possibility for morality. I don't know who would be qualified to discuss it, though, without the possession of the one and an appreciation of the other. Blanc

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Re: OFFSHORE DIGITAL BANKS
by John Young 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg by tcmay(a)netcom.com (Timothy C. May) on Wed, 31 Aug 4:8 PM >I'm not sure what John wants me to expand on here. >Others have noted the same sorts of things. Here are >some random, brief points: [Elision of US foreign interventions] >Is this enough of an expansion? As a newcomer to this list I'm interested your views, and those of others, on how crypto and related topics may be used in responding to US interventions abroad and their domestic consequences. Blending these views into discussions on other matters is just fine; I'll continue to pick out the parts that catch my eye. Much list discussion seems to focus on internal affairs of the US with periodic comments from those members outside. My sense is that our laments about internal abuses of the USG will not be answered until we address the external policies that are used to justify these abuses. Since so much of the power of the USG derives from "national security" responsibilities -- diplomacy, military, intelligence -- and because these have repeatedly been used to justify invasive policies, both domestic and foreign, I wish to learn more on what might be done through c'punks' activities to ventilate the secrecy cloak that shields such affairs from the public. Most of my recent posts have tried to raise queries along these lines whether about crypto anarchy, digicash or varieties of government. This follows my query a while back about how c'punks think US scientists and their technology may be redirected away from national security affairs, where the best and brightest have thrived in the last two generations, toward the needs of civil society, in the US and abroad. So you won't think this is an idle interest, I'll mention that I've been pursuing these topics, with others, for some 27 years in the NYC area in a public planning and development context, as we have waited for the Cold War squandering of surplus wealth to end so that more of these resources might go toward dealing with civil shortcomings, especially through non-governmental programs. Sorry for soapboxing, but this is from a long-time worker among NYC's richest and poorest wondering how long these worlds can be kept apart by the fictions of "national interests". John

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Re:I have had ENOUGH of this government bullshit!!
by CST Administration Dept 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Screw this. I have finally blown my stack over this bullshit governmental crap. From this oint forward, I fully and completely make available, IN THE U.S, the International version of PGP 2.63.ix. If there are any cops, Feds, Spies, wops, spics, gigaboos, alternate lifestyles, punks, crackers, crackheads, whatever other name calling terms, I left out, want to stop me --- TRY!!!! This is bullshit people! We have the inalieable right to full and total screcy, privacy, and personal protection of whatever * W E * determine to be private information. The government has gotten out of hand with this shit. If you are a member of the F.B.I, C.I.A, S.S, N.S.A, X.Y.Z community and you don't like this action, show up at my doorstep guns drawn. Cause you show up at MY door step, you'll need them! That I promise! To download the International version of PGP 2.93.ix within the U.S borders, go here-------->> ftp://ftp.cyberspacetechnologies.com/pub/pgp/pgp263ix.zip Here is my homepage, http://www.cyberspacetechnologies.com You can find anything you wnat about Cyrptography, General Encryption Information, PGP, Anonymous Remailing, PGP and Cryptography Newsgroups, and chat real time with folks from here. If you Feds don't want people like me making shit like this avaliable, then come get me. (Excuse the rant folks, but this shit is REALLY pissing me off!) McCain, take your Secured Public Networks Act and shut it up your ass! I'm done.

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Cable TV's new specs require leaky encryption
by John Young 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg by shamrock(a)netcom.com (Lucky Green) on Thu, 1 Sep 11:22 PM > >Big Brother is watching you. Through your TV. Yeah, that's what the guy that blew away the NBC worker here in NYC believed. Maybe he read about tiny surveillance cameras and mikes that can be hidden in the VCR or cable box, so advertisers say, and transmit by cable or radio. John

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Revisionist History of the US....:( (fwd)
by John Young 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Responding to msg by chen(a)intuit.com (Mark Chen) on Thu, 1 Sep 4:47 PM >This country's >"progress" is really just a series of grudging >concessions made by authoritarian power structures to >various nearly catastrophic crises. > >Good observation about periodicity, Jim, but I'd say >that the typical span is much shorter than 100 years. Jim and Mark, Sound remarks about domestic upheavals. Parallel to these, it should be added that internal strife has declined as US foreign interventions have increased. From Teddy Roosevelt forward, whenever domestic strain builds, there just happens to be an urgent matter somewhere else that needs patriotic attention to our "national interests". Soothing, addictive, social and economic bribes flow from warmaking -- industrial growth, jobs, education, research, technological advances. A bitching citizenry is a happy citizenry where domestic Government affairs are concerned, but the most obedient people are those united against a foreign foe. Lesson 1 of world affairs leadership. John

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Revisionist History of the US....:( (fwd)
by chen＠intuit.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Jim choate <ravage(a)bga.com> writes: > I am not going to name names but I would like to address the comment that > several folks have made (or agreed with) that the US has gone 200 years > w/o a major upheaval. > > Maybe I am taking a alternate History than you folks but I believe the > Civil War can be considered a major internal upheaval and it occured > 4 score and 7 years (87 years) after the birth of our country. Since then > we have also had the civil rights upheaval (if you don't want to consider > deaths of folks like MLK major that is your business) in the late 50's and > early 60's as well. Especially when you consider the political and social > turmoil that occured because of the Vietnam War. We might also add Shay's Rebellion, Bacon's Rebellion, the Hudson River Renters' Uprising, the Pullman Strike, the Homestead Strike, the Ludlow Massacre, the Lawrence Textile Strikes, etc., etc. Many of these were full-scale insurrections. This country's "progress" is really just a series of grudging concessions made by authoritarian power structures to various nearly catastrophic crises. > What I find most interesting about this chronology is that the > upheavals occur approximately every hundred years since our > founding. The fact that the present problems we are having w/ the > administration recognizing and the general populace demaning their > civil liberties/rights is apparently early by approximately 70 > years. Perhaps the present administration is really as progressive > as they claim...:) Take care. Good observation about periodicity, Jim, but I'd say that the typical span is much shorter than 100 years. - Mark - -- Mark Chen chen(a)netcom.com 415/329-6913 finger for PGP public key D4 99 54 2A 98 B1 48 0C CF 95 A5 B0 6E E0 1E 1D

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